Continuous casting ladle lift bearing system

A bearing system for accommodating angular movements occurring during operation of a linear actuator in a lifting structure for a ladle containing liquid steel in a continuous casting installation. Annular bearings on a piston and in an end wall of a piston and cylinder assembly allow free rotation of the piston about a first axis during controlled excursions of translating motion by the piston along the cylinder. A first attachment shaft is joined by cylindrical bearings to the arms of a first clevis for only sliding rotational motion about a second axis. A second attachment shaft secured to a second clevis carries a cylindrical bearing between the clevis arms for only sliding rotational motion about a third axis parallel with the second axis. A saddle is secured to an attachment on the piston rod and having an elongated annular load-bearing surface defining a fourth axis extending along a force transmitting junction with the first attachment shaft. A second pivot block anchored for support by the actuator support base has an elongated annular load-bearing surface defining a fifth axis extending along a force transmitting junction with the cylindrical bearing of the second attachment shaft.